Markram's T20 star continues to rise with IPL captaincy

Aiden Markram's roaring success with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape has seen him being rewarded with the Sunrisers Hyderabad captaincy for this year's Indian Premier League.

Markram, who was recently brought back into the Test setup by newly appointed red ball coach Shukri Conrad, figuratively and literally led from the front with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

He wasn't just their top-scorer with 366 at 33.27 at a strike rate of 127.97, but made runs when it really mattered.

THE. WAIT. IS. OVER. ?#OrangeArmy, say hello to our new captain Aiden Markram ??#AidenMarkram #SRHCaptain #IPL2023 | @AidzMarkram pic.twitter.com/3kQelkd8CP

He made 100 off 58 balls from number four in the successful semi-final conquest of the Joburg Super Kings after coming in at 10/2.

In the initially tricky, but in the end comfortable chase of 136 in the final against the Pretoria Capitals, he contributed with a steady 26 off 19 that allowed the innings to stabilise at one end after Adam Rossington's fast start.

Skipper Sauce back on his next mission ??#OrangeArmy, let's have 'Captain Markram OP' in the replies ??#IPL2023 #SRHCaptain #AidenMarkram | @AidzMarkram ??pic.twitter.com/dN6iVwq20S

Markram was also Hyderabad's third-highest run-maker behind Abhishek Sharma and Rahul Tripathi, with the South African making 381 at 47.62 at a strike rate of 139.05.

This leadership elevation will probably make the Proteas' white ball coach Rob Walter's decision to find a captain the easiest, considering Markram picks himself by way of form and runs in the men's national T20 team.